Toyota Motor North America celebrated the 40th anniversary of its North American research and development operations with the opening of its expanded Toyota Motor North America Research & Development Purchasing and Prototype Development centers in York Township, Michigan.

Three years ago, Toyota announced its "One Toyota" plan to create more unified operations in North America with a $154 million expansion of the TMNA R&D centers in Michigan, company officials said. The investment moved direct procurement and supplier engineering development talent from Erlanger, Kentucky, and vehicle development and powertrain from California. These moves reaffirmed Toyota's commitment to drive more local decision making and ultimately faster, more precise response to the needs of the marketplace.

"We are thrilled to celebrate our continued investment in Michigan, which contributes to our overall long-standing commitment to invest in America," said Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota in North America. "Expanding the Research and Development Campus in York Township is an incredible next step in Toyota's journey in the United States."

"We now have a fully developed Research and Development operation in the heart of the auto industry in southeast Michigan, which will allow for deep collaboration between all departments, reinforcing our commitment to One Toyota," Shinichi Yasui, Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing President. "I am excited to join the TMNA R&D team as we commemorate 40 years of engineering excellence here in Michigan."